More than 50 students from the University of Westminster took part in the award-winning Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) programme this April, gaining first-hand insight into professional life across the UK and Singapore.
WWC is a University-wide initiative that helps students develop career confidence and build a global outlook by connecting them with Westminster’s diverse community of alumni and industry partners around the world. The programme is a key part of Westminster’s ambitions for Zone29, the University’s new home for careers and enterprise. Zone29 provides students and graduates with access to work-related programmes, opportunities and experiences and connects students from all backgrounds to industry professionals to build the confidence and networks they need to succeed.
This year’s spring programmes gave students the opportunity to explore international career pathways, expand their professional networks and gain valuable insight into a range of industries and global markets.
Two student cohorts travelled across Singapore and the UK, taking part in more than 20 sessions with 33 Westminster alumni and partner organisations. Sessions covered industries such as AI, architecture, consulting, creative, entrepreneurship, fashion, media and technology.
Students engaged with professionals from organisations including Google, Microsoft, Oval Partnership, Oxford University Press and Ubisoft. They also heard from a range of entrepreneurs and creatives, gaining insight into what it takes to build and sustain successful careers and businesses in different international contexts.
Through workplace visits, panel discussions and informal networking opportunities, students were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and reflect on their personal and professional development. Highlights included a day trip to Oxford; a workshop on storytelling with the marketing agency Pink Squid; learning about the eco-conscious fashion brand Raja Rani and seeing their designs in-store; and a walking tour of hidden Singapore.
Reflecting on the WWC UK trip International Human Resource Management MA student Tanya Afshin said: "A major insight I gained about myself is the importance of owning my story. Through the storytelling sessions and hearing the journeys of so many professionals, I realised that I tend to underestimate the value of my experiences. This programme taught me to articulate my strengths with clarity, to recognise the skills I’ve built over time and to stop minimising what I bring to the table. I also learned that I thrive in environments that encourage curiosity, authenticity and purpose and that these values will guide the kind of workplaces I choose in the future.
“Moving forward, I plan to build on this experience by seeking opportunities that align with my values, continuing to expand my network and pushing myself to engage in spaces that challenge me. Most importantly, I will carry forward the belief that my journey is valid, my ambitions are achievable and I am capable of growing into the professional I aspire to become."
Business Administration BA Honours graduate and Chief AI and Product Officer at LEDR Technologies, Jay Shah, said: “Speaking to the WWC students in Singapore was a genuinely humbling experience. These students came prepared and asked deep, thoughtful questions that showed real ambition and a desire to get things right from the start. What impressed me most was seeing them reflect on the week and share their experiences on LinkedIn. You could tell this wasn't just another trip for them, it was something that will stay with them. Several students have since reached out to stay connected, and I fully intend to follow their careers. I hope our paths cross again."
Since launching in 2017, WWC International has hosted 40 global trips, while WWC UK, launched in 2020, has delivered 19 domestic programmes and a range of follow-on events. Together, they have reached over 1,000 Westminster students and recent graduates. The next WWC programmes will take place in Barcelona and the UK in June 2026.
The programme directly contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnerships for Goals by helping students build the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more by visiting the Westminster Working Cultures webpage or email the team.
